Acts 24
1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
Baada ya siku tano, Kuhani Mkuu Anania aliwasili Kaisarea pamoja na wazee kadhaa na wakili mmoja wa sheria aitwaye Tertulo. Walimwendea yule mkuu wa mkoa wakamweleza mashtaka yao juu ya Paulo.
2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight,
Paulo aliitwa na Tertulo akafungua mashtaka hivi: “Mheshimiwa Felisi, uongozi wako bora umeleta amani kubwa na marekebisho ya lazima yanafanywa kwa manufaa ya taifa letu.
3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
Tunalipokea jambo hili kwa furaha daima na kutoa shukrani nyingi kwako kila mahali.
4 But that I do not delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
Lakini, bila kupoteza wakati wako zaidi, tunakusihi kwa wema wako, usikilize taarifa yetu fupi.
5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Tumegundua kwamba mtu huyu ni wa hatari mno. Yeye huanzisha ghasia kati ya Wayahudi kila mahali duniani na pia ni kiongozi wa kile chama cha Wanazareti.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
Tena alijaribu kulikufuru Hekalu nasi tukamtia nguvuni. Kama ukimhoji wewe mwenyewe, utaweza kubainisha mambo haya yote tunayomshtaki kwayo.” Tulitaka kumhukumu kufuatana na Sheria yetu.
Lakini Lusia, mkuu wa jeshi, aliingilia kati, akamchukua kwa nguvu kutoka mikononi mwetu.
8 By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
Kisha akaamuru washtaki wake waje mbele yako.
9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
Nao Wayahudi waliunga mkono mashtaka hayo wakisema kwamba hayo yote yalikuwa kweli.
10 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
Basi, mkuu wa mkoa alimwashiria Paulo aseme. Naye Paulo akasema, “Nafurahi kujitetea mbele yako nikijua kwamba umekuwa hakimu wa taifa hili kwa miaka mingi.
11 seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
Unaweza kujihakikishia kwamba si zaidi ya siku kumi na mbili tu zimepita tangu nilipokwenda kuabudu Yerusalemu.
12 In the temple they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
Wayahudi hawakunikuta nikijadiliana na mtu yeyote. Hawakunikuta nikichochea watu Hekaluni wala katika masunagogi yao, wala mahali pengine popote katika mji huo.
13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
Wala hawawezi kuthibitisha mashtaka waliyotoa juu yangu.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
Ninachokubali mbele yako ni hiki: Mimi ninamwabudu Mungu na wazee wetu nikiishi kufuatana na Njia ile ambayo wao wanaiita chama cha uzushi. Ninaamini mambo yote yaliyoandikwa katika vitabu vya Sheria na manabii.
15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Mimi namtumainia Mungu, na wao wanalo tumaini hilo, kwamba watu, wema na wabaya, watafufuka.
16 In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
Kwa hiyo ninajitahidi daima kuwa na dhamiri njema mbele ya Mungu na mbele ya watu.
17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
“Baada ya kukaa mbali kwa miaka kadhaa, nilirudi Yerusalemu ili kuwapelekea wananchi wenzangu msaada na kutoa dhabihu.
18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
Wakati nilipokuwa nikifanya hayo ndipo waliponikuta Hekaluni, nilipokuwa nimekwisha fanya ile ibada ya kujitakasa. Hakukuwako kundi la watu wala ghasia.
19 They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me.
Lakini kulikuwa na Wayahudi wengine kutoka mkoa wa Asia; hao ndio wangepaswa kuwa hapa mbele yako na kutoa mashtaka yao kama wana chochote cha kusema dhidi yangu.
20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
Au, waache hawa walio hapa waseme kosa waliloliona kwangu wakati niliposimama mbele ya Baraza lao kuu,
21 unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”
isipokuwa tu maneno haya niliyosema niliposimama mbele yao: Mnanihukumu leo hii kwa sababu ya kushikilia kwamba wafu watafufuliwa!”
22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”
Hapo, Felisi, ambaye mwenyewe alikuwa anaifahamu hiyo Njia vizuri, aliahirisha kesi hiyo. Akawaambia, “Nitatoa hukumu juu ya kesi hiyo wakati Luisa, mkuu wa jeshi, atakapokuja hapa.”
23 He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.
Kisha akamwamuru yule jemadari amweke Paulo kizuizini, lakini awe na uhuru kiasi, na rafiki zake wasizuiwe kumpatia mahitaji yake.
24 After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
Baada ya siku chache, Felisi alifika pamoja na mkewe Drusila ambaye alikuwa Myahudi. Aliamuru Paulo aletwe, akamsikiliza akiongea juu ya kumwamini Yesu Kristo.
25 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”
Lakini wakati Paulo alipoanza kuongea juu ya uadilifu, juu ya kuwa na kiasi na juu ya siku ya hukumu inayokuja, Felisi aliogopa, akasema, “Kwa sasa unaweza kwenda; nitakuita tena nitakapopata nafasi.”
26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him.
Wakati huohuo alikuwa anatumaini kwamba Paulo angempa fedha. Kwa sababu hii alimwita Paulo mara kwa mara na kuzungumza naye.
27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Baada ya miaka miwili, Porkio Festo alichukua nafasi ya Felisi, akawa mkuu wa Mkoa. Kwa kuwa alitaka kujipendekeza kwa Wayahudi, Felisi alimwacha Paulo kizuizini.
